THE
youth of today frequently faces a hard time, it being all too easy to
blame vandalism and other inconsiderate acts on youngsters in general.
Communities rarely see their positive contribution to society, but that
has certainly been put to rights in the rural villages of West Fife.

A group of teenagers in High Valleyfield decided to act in 2003 after
an article in the local press about vandalism on school buses.

They responded, pointing out the many good activities youngsters were
involved with locally. They also took the step of forming their own group,
Time 4 Change.

With the help of West Fife Village's Rural Regeneration Group, a partnership
was drawn up between local primary schools and the young activists in
addressing the problems of graffiti.
The project gives all the children and youngsters in the villages an opportunity
to design and have a say in what should replace the unsightly graffiti.

Time 4 Change group members also wanted to break down inter-village rivalry
and encourage themed activity groups.

They also campaigned for additional and new resources to benefit and address
the inequality associated with living in a rural area.

Group members, aged 14 to 17, have taken up the Young People's Graffiti
Challenge with great enthusiasm.